The city of Kirkland is seeking applicants to volunteer to serve on a community safety advisory group (CSAG) to advise the city council on a potential November 2020 ballot measure for fire and emergency medical services.

CSAG will meet through March 2020 to review a menu of major investments for fire station seismic renovation, expansion, additional firefighter staffing, potential training facilities and funding mechanisms. The CSAG’s recommendation to the council will be presented March 2020. Council will then have until July 21, 2020 to approve the ordinance placing the measure on the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election. The CSAG will be comprised of representatives from nearly 40 community groups, including two positions from the community at large. Applications are available online at www.kirklandwa.gov/FireBallot2020.

“The community safety advisory group will play a crucial role in advising the city council on the contents of a possible November 2020 fire and emergency services ballot measure,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “We are looking for community members that are passionate about public safety, inquisitive and willing to ask the tough questions.”

Discussion of a fire and emergency services ballot measure began in the 2012 fire department strategic plan. The potential ballot measure would be part of a two-phased approach to enhancing public safety that began with the passage of the enhanced police services and community safety ballot measure in 2018. The need for investments in fire and emergency services comes as a result of unprecedented growth and redevelopment, new types of commercial and residential structures and a need for fire stations to be seismically retrofitted.

“Our goal at the Kirkland Fire Department is to ensure that Kirkland community members receive the best fire, medical, and rescue service possible, 24 hours each day, by professional and committed men and women,” Kirkland Fire Chief Joe Sanford said in a press release. “Investments are needed to ensure that with a growing and changing community we can continue to provide exceptional service. I look forward to working with the members of the community safety advisory group to discover the best path for Kirkland to take moving forward.”

More information about the CSAG, including applications, can be found on the city website at www.kirklandwa.gov/FireBallot2020.

An informational video regarding CSAG and the potential November 2020 ballot measure is available at http://bit.ly/KirklandCSAG.